GB2217589A

GB2217589A - Foldable stand

Info

Publication number: GB2217589A
Application number: GB8809799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Stubbs; Philip John Crockett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-04-26
Filing date: 1988-04-26
Publication date: 1989-11-01
Also published as: GB8809799D0

Abstract

A foldable stand suitable for a wine box comprises two inverted U-shaped members 10, 11 each with an intermediate transverse support 12, 13 extending between the respective limbs of the U-shaped members 10, 11, in which the U-shaped members 10, 11 are slidably pivoted together adjacent their uppermost ends 14 such that in one relative position when folded one of the U-shaped members 11 fits completely inside the other U-shaped member 10 and in another relative position for use the tops 15 of the U-shaped members 10, 11 lock against each other with the bottom of the U-shaped members 10, 11 spread out and positioned so that e.g. a wine box (not shown) can be supported on the transverse supports 12, 13. <IMAGE>

Description

FOLDABLE WINE BOX STAND The invention relates to wine box stands and the like.

Wine boxes are well known and generally comprise an outer cardboard box with an inner collapsible, usually plastics, container. A tap is provided which is contained inside and at the bottom of the box for storage and transport. The tap is pulled out of the box for dispensing the wine and it is usual and necessary to position the box so that wine may flow into a glass when the tap is opened. It is therefore necessary to support the box above the ground and commonly at the edge of a sideboard or kitchen working surface. The present invention relates to a foldable stand arranged so that the wine box can be placed virtually anywhere for use and when the wine is exhausted or not required further, the stand can be folded up to fascilitate its storage.The foldable stand can be used for any boxed liquid and although the invention will be described with respect to a wine box, the foldable stand may be used equally usefully for boxes containing fruit juice for example.

According to the invention there is provided a foldable wine box stand comprising two inverted generally U-shaped members, each with an intermediate transverse support extending between the respective limbs of the U-shaped members, in which the U-shaped members are slidably pivoted together adjacent their uppermost ends such that in one relative position when folded one of the U-shaped members fits completely inside the other U-shaped member and in another relative position for use the tops of the U-shaped members lock against each other with the bottom of the U-shaped members spread out and positioned so that a wine box can be supported on the transverse supports.

A foldable wine box stand according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 shows a side view of the stand when folded; Fig 2 shows an end view of the stand when folded; Fig 3 shows a side view of the stand when unfolded for use; Fig 4 shows in more detail and sectioned a slidable pivoted connection arrangement for the stand; and Fig 5 shows one part of the slidable pivoted connection.

Referring to the drawing, in Figs 1 and 2 the foldable stand comprises two inverted U-shaped members 10 and 11 each having a respective intermediate transverse support bar 12 and 13. The members 10 and 11 are pivotably connected adjacent their uppermost ends at 14, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Figs 4 and 5. It will be noted that the member 11 fits completely inside the member 10 particularly to fascilitate storage of the stand when not in use.

In Fig 3, the stand is shown for use in supporting a wine box (not shown). The wine box is held between the limbs of the member 11 and rests on the bars 12 and 13. This means the outlet tap of the wine box is positioned conveniently above the bottom ends of the limbs of the members 10 and 11 and hence above a convenient supporting surface, a kitchen work-top or the ground for example. In the position shown in Fig 3, the tops of the members 10 and 11 are locked against each other by contacting along the edges of their tops at 15 preventing the bottoms of the limbs spreading out any further and the stand collapsing.

In Figs 4 and 5, the sliding pivoted connection between the members 10 and 11 is more clearly seen. A rivet 20 is rigidly fixed to the limb 11 and extends beyond member 10 to its head 21.

A slot 22 is formed in the member 10 as shown in Fig 5 so allowing the members 10 and 11 to pivot and to slide with respect to one another as required. The connection is specifically arranged as described to allow the member 11 to fold away completely inside the member 10 and for the two members to lock together in Fig 3 to prevent the stand collapsing in use.

It will be appreciated that the rivets 20 may be rigidly fixed to the limb 10 and a slot provided in member 11. Also the precise form of the slot can be changed. Indeed, the rivet may be arranged to be double headed and not rigidly fixed to either of the members 10 and 11 and each member provided with a suitably shaped slot for the rivet to allow the members 10 and 11 to slidably pivot as required and described to fold neatly one inside the other and to lock for use when supporting a wine box or the like.

Claims

Claims:

1. A foldable wine box stand comprising two inverted generally U-shaped members each with an intermediate transverse support extending between the respective limbs of the U-shaped members, in which the U-shaped members are slidably pivoted together adjacent their uppermost ends such that in one relative position when folded one of the U-shaped members fits completely inside the other U-shaped member and in another relative position for use the tops of the U-shaped members lock against each other with the bottom of the U-shaped members spread out and positioned so that a wine box can be supported on the transverse supports.

2. A foldable wine box stand according to claim 1, in which the tops of the U-shaped members lock against each other by contacting along the edges of their tops.

3. A foldable wine box stand according to claim 1 or 2, in which the locking action is provided by a rivet attached to one U-shaped member for engagement within a slot provided in the other U-shaped member.

4. A foldable wine box stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.